Firearm

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT FIREARM - PAGE 5

Beverly Barton, 49, of the 100 block of West Briarcliff Rd., Bolingbrook, was charged Thursday with battery to a police officer, unlawful possession of a firearm, having no firearm owner's identification card and resisting arrest. Police said Barton threatened a family member with a handgun and struck a police officer.

James B. Hansen, 33, of the 300 block of Thornwood Drive was charged with domestic battery and possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification card. Police said Hansen hit a Lindenhurst woman in the head and threatened to shoot her with one of the two guns officers later found in his possession.

Lee Virgil, 49, of 2313 W. 119th St., Blue Island, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, defacing identification marks on a firearm and having no firearm owner's identification card Monday after police allegedly found a handgun, with its serial numbers filed off, in his car. His court date was not available.

Police said Paul M. Hill, 29, of the 5100 block of Shore Drive was charged Friday with possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification card while officers were investigating a report of a domestic disturbance in his home. He is to appear in court on Dec. 23.

A 21-year-old woman was arrested Monday afternoon after her 4-year-old daughter found a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun in their home, police said. Ana M. Martin, 21, of the 400 block of Union Street, was charged with endangering the life of a child, illegal possession of a firearm and not having a firearm owner's identification card.

A bad law is a bad law, and the assault weapons ban should not be renewed. A semiautomatic firearm is a semiautomatic firearm, whether it looks like a hunting rifle or it looks like a military rifle. Banning firearms based on cosmetics does nothing to increase safety or reduce crime.

Jose Aguilera, 18, of the 400 block of Lovell Road was arrested Sunday night. Police said they found a loaded revolver near his feet during a traffic stop in the 400 block of North Spring Street. Aguilera was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification card, according to reports.

A local man was arrested Sunday afternoon on suspicion of trying to hide a .22-caliber rifle and ammunition from police in a woman's car. Police said Damone D. Wright, 20, of 2619 Hermon Ave., was charged with unlawful use of weapons and possession of a firearm without a firearm owner's identification card.

Officers checking a suspicious car in the 900 block of East St. Charles Road Wednesday arrested a 20-year-old Carol Stream man after police alleged they found a handgun in his vehicle. Vincent Balanoff of 588 Thunderbird Trail was charged with unlawful use of a firearm, failing to have a firearm owner's identification card, possession of marijuana and possession of cocaine, police said.

An Aurora man was arrested Sunday night near his apartment complex after he fired a handgun, according to police reports. Michael Washington, 36, 1213 2nd Ave., Apt. 314A, was charged with discharge of a firearm within city limits, unlawful use of a weapon and not having a firearm owner identification card.